"It's a navigation nightmare," Walker said. "Yesterday (Wednesday), the Low Head Dam at Coal Bluff was under water. That's one structure you never want to run into. The boat ramp at Ratliff Ferry is under water."

Forecasters said the Pearl River is expected to crest Thursday near Jackson at 32 feet, about foot lower than earlier predictions.

Marty Pope, senior service hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson, said northern parts of the Ross Barnett Reservoir have crested.

"The current is extreme," Walker said.

Walker said wildlife officials do not want to expose hunters to the dangerous conditions. He said as of now, the Sept. 16 and 17 hunt will go on as scheduled at the reservoir.

The hunt is only open to hunters who applied for and were approved during a computer-based lottery in June. Sixty permits were issued for each day of hunting in the Pearl River and Pascagoula River zones. A total of 480 permits were distributed, MDWFP officials said.

Hunters were required to attend an alligator hunting training course and will be limited to two alligators.